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Old 04-06-2018, 08:16 AM   #3 (permalink)
Ecky
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 5,078

ND Miata - '15 Mazda MX-5 Special Package
90 day: 39.72 mpg (US)

Oxygen Blue - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 58.53 mpg (US)
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As much as I'd love to disagree with Cowmeat, he's right on most points.

The Insight is noisy, has small cup holders, the seats are stiff (I definitely want new seats), A/C saps significant power from the tiny engine, and if you want cruise control you'll have to install it yourself - I did. The MPG bug is real, but it has faded with time for me. You're also not going to maintain lean burn on level ground at more than maybe 65-70mph, but you can still expect 70mpg+ at those speeds in a properly maintained car.

Expect to need a grid charger, the hybrid battery is the weak point in these cars but a grid charger can limp along a weak battery for a very long time. Most will have a weak one at 17-18 years old, and a replacement is $1000-2000.

The only bit I disagree on is that I still love owning and driving my car.

With stiffer rear springs it's a joy to drive. Some perks include an aluminum chassis, which means you get to laugh at road salt, and the lack of a timing belt. Low-end torque is pretty great if your hybrid system is functioning properly, and as your battery gets weak and eventually dies, you won't get stranded - it drives reliably (if without much power) as just a conventional gasoline car.

BTW you really should be getting more than 30mpg at 75 in your VX. Speed murders economy on any vehicle, but I'd expect 10-15 more than that.
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